Pop star turned country star Darius Rucker kicked off his new tour this week and fans in Canandaigua showed up in full support as CMAC hosted night three of Rucker’s Sounds of Summer tour on June 6. Up and coming artists Austin Williams and George Birge provided support on this leg of the tour.
Bursting into notoriety with Hootie & The Blowfish’s 1994 release Cracked Rearview, Rucker led the Blowfish to stardom. Even with five albums and great pop success, 2008 saw the band taking a break, with Rucker pursuing a solo country career, that has helped guide him to where he is today.
Before the former Blowfish frontman could mesmerize the north shore of Canandaigua Lake, Austin Williams and George Birge did their part to prime the fans. The 22-year old Williams was up first.
Bringing a super positive vibe to the show, the Nashville area native has been working alongside acts such as Chase Matthew and Craig Campbell hone his writing skills and they were on full display for the growing CMAC crowd.
Confidently cruising through a 30-minute set, his words and lyrics deliver nothing but positivity and cheer to the listeners.
It’s not about the people above you, it’s the people around you
A. Williams
Following the younger Williams, was George Birge. A late bloomer, the 38-year-old didn’t release his first single until the age of 33. Since then, five singles, two EP’s and one studio album have bolstered Birge’s resume.
Playing with a strong country sound of the late 90s and early 2000s, Birge took full control of the stage and audience, belting out simple, resonating lyrics that many fans were singing along to. 45 minutes went quick and seemed too quick as the fans were eating up the rising stars performance.
Through the first two acts, you could see many empty seats under the pavilion at CMAC. For a sold out show, this was surprising. As I made my way to the sound booth for Rucker’s “first three, no flash”, the empty seats were minimal. Fans were filing in, either from showing up late or just meandering the grounds on the perfect spring evening. By the time “All I Want” began, fans were in place ready to get serenaded. Many of them remained standing for the duration of the set.
“All I Want”, “This”, and “For the First Time” brought the fans near peak excitement early in the set. The mix of old and new, and various genres on display held them captive for nearly 90 minutes.
While standing and cheering, it was clear the music fans weren’t singing along with full enthusiasm—until “Only Wanna Be With You” started. From the first note to the final lyric, fans all around the venue belted out their own renditions.
As the set progresses, more and more fans remain on their feet, belting out lyrics. I am sure some libations aided in this, but nonetheless, it was a jovial crowd. Hootie songs like “Let Her Cry” and “Hold My Hand” also helped along the way.
In the midst of the set, Rucker extends thanks to both opening acts, and brings them both on stage. Collectively, they perform a version of Hank Williams Jr’s “Family Tradition”. A bit fun for all three, as they all move around the stage, singing to and with each other.
Rounding out his set, Rucker finishes off with “Alright”. A fitting track has he sings about having all he needs in life.
May be a simple life, but that’s okay
If you ask me baby, I think I’ve got it madeD. Rucker
No good show is complete without an encore and man did Rucker deliver. A four-song encore, highlighted by a cover of “No Diggity” and the anticipated “Wagon Wheel”. Prior to the cover of Blackstreet’s hit, Rucker acknowledges the band and announced he will turn them into New Jack Swing band for bout 3 minutes. Definitely not a song you would expect to hear from Darius Rucker, but he did pretty damn good job with it.
For many fans, Darius Rucker will always be Hootie & The Blowfish. For others, they know him for his country pipes. Either way, there is no denying that Darius Rucker has been highly successful in two genres over 30 years. Don’t be afraid to explore your dreams, you never know how your story will end until you write it.
Darius Rucker setlist: All I Want, This, For The First Time, Better Place, It Won’t Be Like This For Long, Only Wanna Be With You (Hootie & The Blowfish), Beers and Sunshine, Don’t Think I Don’t Think About It, If I Told You, Family Tradition w/Birge and Williams on stage (Hank Williams Jr cover), Southern State of Mind, History in The Making (solo, ft pianist), Homegrown Honey, Let Her Cry (Hootie), 90s Medley (I Like It, I Love it/Waterfalls/Poison), Come Back Song, Radio, Hold My Hand (Hootie), Alright
Encore: Valerie (The Zutons cover), I Believe in You, No Diggity (Blackstreet cover), Wagon Wheel (Old Crow Medicine Show cover)
